The Taylorist principles of management don't apply to knowledge work in my experience. The simple principles above do apply in my experience, presumably there

The Taylorist principles of management don't apply to knowledge work in my experience. The simple principles above do apply in my experience, presumably there is some difference in practice. Maybe everyone thinks they have it figured out but some people demonstrably do, because they deliver software on time which meets requirements. I agree with delivering software early and often, and that is a solid basis for delivering reliable estimates and promises you can keep. Where estimates fail IME it's down to lack of accountability and communication among stakeholders, which leads to constantly shifting and unclear priorities and requirements.